Kirschke Named State’s Player of Year

Esperanza’s Travis Kirschke Tuesday became the first interior lineman in 61 years to be named state football player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports.

Kirschke, who has orally committed to attend UCLA next season, edged a number of candidates, including Los Alamitos quarterback Tim Carey. Santa Ana’s Larry Lutz was the last lineman to win the award, for the 1931 season.

Other Cal-Hi players of the year from Orange County were Bret Johnson (El Toro, 1987), Myron White (Santa Ana Valley, 1974) and Mickey Flynn (Anaheim, 1955).

Kirschke, a two-way player, was selected as a first-team all-state defensive lineman. Carey was the first-team quarterback, and Trabuco Hills’ quarterback Pat Barnes was selected first-team multipurpose player.

Linemen Travis Pulliam (Esperanza) and Kyle Murphy (Edison) were named to the second-team offense, and lineman Bryan Werner (Esperanza), linebacker Brian Willmer (Sunny Hills) and punter Micah Knorr (Orange) were members of the second-team defense. Santa Margarita quarterback/defensive back Sean O’Brien was a second-team multipurpose selection.

Other county honors:

Medium schools offense--Jeff Byrd (Rancho Alamitos running back).

Medium schools multipurpose--Leon Vickers (Rancho Alamitos running back/linebacker).

Small schools offense--Scott Thomas (Brethren Christian wide receiver), Aaron Meschuk (Whittier Christian running back).

Underclass defense--Chris Draft (Valencia linebacker).

Underclass multipurpose--Brian Finneran (Santa Margarita wide receiver/defensive back).